The atmosphere in the classroom was thick with awkwardness. The girls were glaring at the pair, their faces twisted with a mix of jealousy and confusion. They couldn't understand how Iris, the girl they tried to trap yesterday, was now sitting so confidently next to the most popular guy in class.
Finally, unable to contain their curiosity, one of the girls leaned over. She ignored Iris and looked directly at Luca.
"Wow, you two are together again?" she asked, her voice dripping with fake surprise. "Iris told us yesterday that there was nothing going on. Luca, did you tell her to hide the truth? Are you the one making her keep secrets from her 'friends'?"
I felt a flicker of the old Social Anxiety, but I kept my 'Counter-Smile' steady. I looked at Luca, wondering how he would handle this direct attack.
Luca didn't look bothered at all. He didn't even look up from his notebook at first. When he finally turned to them, his expression was cool and Practical.
"Whether there is something going on or not," Luca said, his voice quiet but echoing in the silent room, "that is our business. Not yours."
He didn't give them a "Yes" or a "No." He gave them a boundary. By saying it was "their business," he confirmed that their connection was private and important—and that the girls were outsiders. The girls were left speechless, their 'sweet' masks finally cracking under the weight of his dismissal.
The girls wouldn't let it go. Their jealousy had made them desperate, and they began to crowd around the desk, bothering Luca with a barrage of questions.
"Come on, Luca, just tell us!" they persisted, their voices rising. "What do you really feel about her? Is she a secret crush? Are you guys dating but hiding it from us? Did you tell Iris to keep it a secret? It's so obvious you're hiding something!"
I watched, feeling a mix of anxiety and pride. I saw the change in Luca's expression. He wasn't just calm anymore; he looked truly frustrated by their lack of boundaries. He closed his book with a sharp thud and looked them directly in the eyes.
"What are you doing?" Luca asked, his voice firm and cold. "Even if we are in a relationship or not, it's not your business. You're adults now—it's time you started acting like it."
The girls flinched, their 'sweet' smiles disappearing instantly.
"You should learn to mind your own business," Luca continued, his "Fighting Spirit" showing for the first time. "Being an adult means showing respect to others and their private lives. Harassing Iris and digging for rumors isn't mature. If you want to be treated like adults, you should start by respecting our boundaries."
The classroom went silent. The girls were completely stunned. They had expected him to be embarrassed, but instead, he made them feel embarrassed for being so nosy. I felt a wave of relief wash over me. I wasn't alone anymore; I was part of a bond that was strong enough to stand up to the 'Cruel World.
I sat perfectly still,my heart panting with a rhythm I had never felt before. Throughout my whole life I was used to the insults of my relatives and the whispers of my neighbors. I was used to being the 'ugly child' that everyone mocked. In my whole life, no one had ever stood in front of me like a shield.
But now, hearing Luca's firm voice defend my dignity, I felt a strange, beautiful sensation. It was as if a thousand butterflies had suddenly taken flight in my chest.
I looked at Luca's face—his steady gaze and his calm strength—and for the first time, I felt truly respected. He wasn't just an honorable student or a study partner anymore; he was the evidence that there is kindness in this unknown world. I realized that even in a place where I felt like a stranger, there was someone who was really supporting me.
For the first time, I didn't feel like a shadow. I felt like a person who was worth protecting. The grief of my past was still there, but it was being pushed aside by the warmth of someone who stayed by my side when things got difficult .
As the professor began the lecture, I forced myself mind to settle. I didn't want to get lost in my emotions; I knew how hard I had worked to reach this place. I gripped my pen, I started to focus on my notes. I couldn't let the drama or anything —make me forget my role as a student.
When the class finally ended and the room began to empty, I turned to Luca. My voice was soft, but sincere.
"Thank you," I said, looking him in the eye. "Thank you for taking my side back there. You didn't have to do that."
Luca began packing his books, his expression calm and Practical. "No problem, Iris," he replied easily. "It is my duty to protect you."
I felt a small sting of "puzzled" emotion. "Duty? It wasn't your duty to protect me from them. We are just friends... you didn't have to risk your reputation for me."
Luca stopped and looked at me seriously. "Iris, I've watched those girls for many days now. I've seen how they look at you and how they try to corner you. I couldn't keep it inside anymore. I told them exactly what I've wanted to say for a long time."
He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a warning tone. "You should keep your distance from these people. They are truly bad for your peace of mind. My 'duty' isn't just because we are classmates—it's because I care about your safety in this college."
Luca looked at me, his eyes filled with a heavy kind of wisdom. "Iris," he said softly, "you are a good person. A truly good person. But you don't realize how cruel this world can be, especially in a place like this."
I wanted to say something but he continued. "I know you've faced many problems before. I know your life hasn't been easy. But you still don't understand that an innocent face can be the most dangerous weapon of all. Just because they are young—some even younger than you—doesn't mean they aren't capable of being truly bad."
He stepped closer, his voice low and urgent. "You see their smiles and you think they are like you. But you don't know the intentions they are hiding. You don't know the poison lying behind the masks they wear every day. They see your kindness as a weakness to exploit."
I felt a chill go down my spine. I looked at the classroom door where the girls had just exited. "I... I just don't understand people like that," I whispered. "Why would they put so much effort into being fake?"
"Because that's their nature," Luca replied firmly. "And they will try to break you. That's why you must keep your distance. Don't try to find 'connections' with people who only want to use you. Your Unbreakable Spirit is for those who deserve it, not for those who want to crush it."
"Will Iris be able to change her nature and become more guarded, or will her 'Innocent Heart' always lead her back into the hands of the wrong people? As she looks at Luca, she wonders—is he the only one without a mask? Or is he just better at hiding what's underneath?
Wait until the next chapter to find the answer."